BOISE — Ever since moving from the FCS to FBS level in 1996, the Boise State football program has built a reputation of being one of the most consistent programs in the NCAA.
In 22 seasons, they have won 77.7 percent of their games, claimed 13 conference championships, spent 139 weeks inside the Associated Press Top 25, been to the postseason 18 times, and are 3-0 all-time in the Fiesta Bowl.
While the Broncos have consistently challenged bigger and wealthier programs, many continue to wonder if a Group of 5 team will ever get a shot at the College Football Playoff.
On that note, we decided to create a “playoff” of our own, and we want Bronco Nation to settle the score: Which team do you consider the best Broncos team of all time?
Using a 16-team March Madness style bracket, we did our best to seed the top 16 teams of the FBS era based off accomplishments (scroll down or click on the "Chapters" to see each team's accomplishments, all-league players, and more).
The Bracket
This is how the voting will go:
Tuesday – 7 p.m.: First round voting begins
Wednesday – 7 p.m.: The top 8 teams will advance to the quarterfinals
Thursday – 7 p.m.: The top 4 teams will advance to the semifinals
Friday – 7 p.m.: The championship matchup will be set
Sunday – 7 p.m.: We'll leave voting open throughout the weekend, then reveal the winner on the News at 10 on Sunday evening.
Be sure to vote each round, because if you don’t, no hook and ladder can save your favorite team this time, unlike the real version of the Broncos we witness each fall on The Blue.
Best Boise State Team: Results of head-to-head matchups
#1 Seed – 2006 Team
Record: 13-0
Conference Finish: 1st – WAC (8-0)
Bowl Game
Fiesta Bowl: (9) Boise State – 43 vs. (7) Oklahoma – 42 (in OT)
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: 5
Final: 5
Stats
Offense: 39.7 PPG (2nd in NCAA)
Defensive: 17.6 PPG Allowed (20th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s):
• Sept. 7, 2006: Oregon State - 14 vs Boise State – 42
• Sept. 23, 2006: Hawaii – 34 at (25) Boise State – 41
• Sept. 30, 2006: (22) Boise State - 36 at Utah – 3
• Nov. 11, 2006: (14) Boise State – 23 at San Jose State – 20
Head Coach
Chris Petersen, 1st Season
All-League Players
OL – Ryan Clady, JR: Started all 13 games
RB – Ian Johnson, SO: 277 CAR, 1,713 RUSH YDS, 25 TD
WR – Legedu Naanee, SR: 35 REC, 541 REC YDS, 6 TD
TE – Derek Schouman, SR: 29 REC, 276 REC YDS, 4 TD
DL – Andrew Browning, SR: 35 TKL, 10.5 TFL, 8.5 Sacks
LB – Korey Hall, SR: 84 TKL, 7.0 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, 6 INT
> WAC Defensive Player of the Year
#2 Seed - 2009 Team
Record: 14-0
Conference Finish: 1st – WAC (8-0)
Bowl Game
Fiesta Bowl: (6) Boise State - 17 vs. (3) TCU - 10
AP Ranking
Preseason: 14
Highest: 4
Final: 4
Stats
Offense: 42.2 (1st in NCAA)
Defensive: 17.1 (14th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s):
• Sept. 3, 2009: (16) Oregon – 8 at (14) Boise State - 19
Head Coach
Chris Petersen, 4th Season (WAC Coach of the Year)
First Team All-League
WR - Austin Pettis, JR: 63 REC, 855 REC YDS, 14 TD
LT - Nate Potter, SO: Started 9 of 13 games
QB - Kellen Moore, SO: 277-431 (64.3 comp%), 3,536 PASS YDS, 39 TD, 3 INT - 161.7 QB Eff. Rating
> Named WAC Offensive Player of the Year
WR - Titus Young, JR: 79 REC, 1,041 REC YDS, 10 TD
DB - Kyle Wilson, SR: 42 TKL, 3 INT
DL - Ryan Winterswyk, SO: 41 TKL, 17.0 TFL, 9.0 Sacks
ST - Titus Young, JR: 26.9 YPR, 2 KO Ret. TD
#3 Seed – 2014 Team
Record: 12-2
Conference Finish: 1st – MW/Mountain Division (7-1)
*Mountain West Champions
Bowl Game
Fiesta Bowl: (21) Boise State - 38 vs (12) Arizona - 30
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: 16
Final: 16
Stats
Offense: 39.7 PPG (9th in NCAA)
Defensive: 26.8 PPG Allowed (65th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Sept. 6, 2014: Colorado State – 24 at Boise State – 37
• Sept. 20, 2014: Louisiana – 9 at Boise State – 34
• Oct. 24, 2014: BYU – 30 at Boise State – 55
• Nov. 29, 2014: Utah State – 19 at (25) Boise State – 50
• Dec. 6, 2014: Fresno State – 14 at (22) Boise State – 28
*Mountain West Championship Game
Head Coach
Bryan Harsin, 1st Year
All-League Players
RB – Jay Ajayi: 347 CAR, 1,823 YDS, 28 TD; 50 REC, 535 YDS, 4 TD
OL – Marcus Henry: Started all 14 games
DL – Kamalei Correa: 59 TKL, 19.0 TFL, 12.0 Sacks, 2 FF
DB – Darian Thompson: 71 TKL, 5.0 TFL, 7 INT
#4 Seed - 2010 Team
Record: 12-1
Conference Finish: 1st – WAC (7-1)
Bowl Game
Maaco Bowl – Las Vegas: (10) Boise State – 26 vs (20) Utah – 3
AP Ranking
Preseason: 3
Highest: 2
Final: 9
Stats
Offense: 45.1 PPG (2nd in NCAA)
Defensive: 12.8 PPG Allowed (2nd in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Sept. 6, 2010: (3) Boise State – 33 vs (13) Virginia Tech – 30
• Sept. 25, 2010: (24) Oregon State – 24 at (3) Boise State – 37
Head Coach
Chris Petersen, 5th Season
All-League Players
OL – Thomas Byrd, JR: Started all 13 games
RB – Doug Martin, JR: 201 CAR, 1,260 RUSH YDS, 12 TD; 28 REC, 338 REC YDS, 2 TD
QB – Kellen Moore, JR: 273-383 (71.3 comp%), 3,845 PASS YDS, 35 TD, 6 INT
> WAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year
WR – Austin Pettis, SR: 71 REC, 951 PASS YDS, 10 TD
OL – Nate Potter, JR: Started all 13 games
WR – Titus Young, SR: 71 REC, 1,215 REC YDS, 9 TD; 14 CAR, 94 RUSH YDS, TD
DB – George Iloka, SR: 63 TKL, 2 INT, 7 PD
DB – Jeron Johnson, SR: 82 TKL, INT, FF, 7 PD
DL – Shea McClellin, JR: 30 TKL, 13.5 TFL, 9.5 Sacks, INT
LB – Wintson Venable, SR: 53 TKL, 9.5 TKL, 5.5 Sacks
DL – Ryan Winterswyk, JR: 44 TKL, 9.0 TFL, 2.5 Sacks
#5 Seed – 2011 Team
Record: 12-1
Conference Finish: 2nd – MW (6-1)
Bowl Game
Maaco Bowl – Las Vegas: (8) Boise State – 56 vs. Arizona State – 24
AP Ranking
Preseason: 5
Highest: 4
Final: 8
Biggest Win(s)
• Sept. 3, 2011: (5) Boise State – 35 vs (19) Georgia – 21
• Sept. 16, 2011: (4) Boise State – 40 vs. Toledo – 15
Stats
Offense: 44.2 PPG (5th in NCAA)
Defensive: 18.7 PPG Allowed (12th in NCAA)
Head Coach
Chris Petersen, 6th Season
All-League Players
RB – Doug Martin: 263 CAR, 1,299 YDS, 4.9 AVG, 16 TD; 28 REC, 255 YDS, 2 TD
QB – Kellen Moore: 326-439 (74.3 comp%), 3,800 PASS YDS, 43 TD, 9 INT
> MW Offensive Player of the Year
OL – Nate Potter: Started all 13 games
WR – Tyler Shoemaker: 62 REC, 994 REC YDS, 16 TD
DL – Tyrone Crawford: 44 TKL, 13.5 TFL, 6.5 Sacks, 3 FF
DB – George Iloka: 58 TKL, 3.0 TFL, FF
DL – Shea McClellin: 50 TKL, 12.5 TFL, 7.0 Sacks, 2 INT
#6 Seed – 2008 Team
Record: 12-1
Conference Finish: 1st – WAC (8-0)
Bowl Game
Poinsettia Bowl: (9) Boise State – 16 vs. (11) TCU – 17
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: 9
Final: 11
Stats
Offense: 37.6 PPG (12th in NCAA)
Defensive: 12.6 (3rd in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Sept. 20, 2008: Boise State – 37 at (17) Oregon – 32
Head Coach
Chris Petersen, 3rd Season (WAC Coach of the Year)
All-League Players
WR – Jeremy Childs, JR: 72 REC, 802 YDS, 7 TD;
OL – Andrew Woodruff, SR: Started all 13 games
LB – Ellis Power, SR: 78 TKL, 8.0 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, INT
DB – Kyle Wilson, JR: 35 TKL, 5 INT, 10 PBU; 3 Punt RET TD
DL – Ryan Winterswyk, SO: 41 TKL, 11.5 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, 2 FF
#7 Seed – 2004 Team
Record: 11-1
Conference Finish: 1st – WAC (8-0)
Bowl Game
Liberty Bowl: (10) Boise State – 40 vs No. 7 Louisville – 44
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: 10
Final: 12
Stats
Offense: 48.9 PPG (2nd in NCAA)
Defensive: 25.7 PPG Allowed (65th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Sept. 10, 2004: Oregon State – 34 at Boise State – 53
• Oct. 23, 2004: Fresno State – 16 at (19) Boise State – 33
Head Coach
Dan Hawkins, 4th Season (WAC Coach of the Year)
All-League Players
WR – T.J. Acree, SR: 55 REC, 947 YDS, 17.2 AVG, 8 TD
OL – Daryn Colledge, JR: N/A
LB – Andy Avalos, SR: 86 TKL, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 2 INT
DB – Gabe Franklin, SR: 61 TKL, 2.0 Sacks, 4 INT, 17 PBU
LB – Korey Hall, SO: 85 TKL, 8.5 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, 2 FR, 3 INT
#8 Seed – 2003 Team
Record: 13-1
Conference Finish: 1st – WAC (8-0)
Bowl Game
Fort Worth Bowl: (18) Boise State – 34 vs. (19) TCU – 31
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: 16
Final: 16
Stats
Offense: 43.0 PPG (1st in NCAA)
Defensive: 17.1 PPG Allowed (12th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Nov. 21, 2003: (20) Boise State – 31 at Fresno State – 17
• Dec. 6, 2003: (18) Boise State – 45 at Hawaii – 28
Head Coach
Dan Hawkins, 3rd Season
All-League Players
QB – Ryan Dinwiddie, SR: 276-446 (61.9 comp%), 4,356 YDS, 31 TD, 7 INT; 81 CAR, 43 YDS, 12 TD
> WAC Offensive Player of the Year
WR – Tim Gilligan, SR: 67 REC, 1,192 YDS, 6 TD; 1 Punt RET TD
LB – Andy Avalos, JR: 113 TKL, 8.5 TKL, 1.0 Sacks, 3 FR
DB – Wes Nurse, SR: 98 TKL, 5.0 TFL, 5 INT, FR
DL – Julius Roberts, JR: 24 TKL, 9.5 TFL, 5.5 Sacks
#9 Seed – 2012 Team
Record: 11-2
Conference Finish: T-1st – Mountain West (7-1)
*Co-Mountain West Champions
Bowl Game
Las Vegas Bowl: (20) Boise State – 28 vs. Washington – 26
AP Ranking
Preseason: 24th
Highest: 18th
Final: 18th
Stats
Offense: 30.2 PPG (55th in NCAA)
Defensive: 15.8 PPG Allowed (8th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Oct. 13, 2012: Fresno State – 10 vs. (24) Boise State – 20
Head Coach
Chris Petersen, 7th Season
All-League Players
C – Matt Paradis, JR: Started all 13 games
DL – Mike Atkinson, SR: 37 TKL, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, INT
DL – DeMarcus Lawrence, SO: 48 TKL, 13.5 TFL, 9.5 Sacks, INT
LB – J.C. Percy, LB: 118 TKL, 3.5 TFL
CB – Jamar Taylor, SR: 51 TKL, 2.5 Sacks, 4 INT
#10 Seed – 2017 Team
Record: 11-3
Conference Finish: 1st – Mountain Division (7-1)
*Mountain West Champions
Bowl Game
Las Vegas Bowl: (25) Boise State – 38 vs. Oregon – 28
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: 22nd
Final: 22nd
Stats
Offense: 32.5 PPG (36th in NCAA)
Defensive: 22.9 PPG Allowed (38th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Sept. 2, 2017: Troy – 13 at Boise State – 24
• Oct. 14, 2017: Boise State – 31 at (19) San Diego State – 14
• Dec. 2, 2017: (25) Fresno State – 14 at Boise State – 17
*Mountain West Championship Game
Head Coach
Bryan Harsin, 4th Season
All-League Players
OL – Mason Hampton, SR: Started 12 of 14 games
TE – Jake Roh, SR: 39 REC, 410 YDS, 9 TD; 7 CAR, 28 YDS, 2 TD
WR – Cedrick Wilson, SR: 83 REC, 1,511 YDS, 18.2 AVG, 7 TD
CB – Tyler Horton, JR: 44 TKL, 3 INT, 10 PD, 2 FF
LB – Leighton Vander Esch, JR: 141 TKL, 8.5 TFL, 4.0 Sacks, 2 INT, 4 FF
> MW Defensive Player of the Year
DL – Curtis Weaver, FR: 33 TKL, 13.0 TKL, 11.0 Sacks, INT
#11 Seed – 2002 Team
Record: 12-1
Conference Finish: 1st – WAC (8-0)
Bowl Game
Humanitarian Bowl: (18) Boise State – 34 vs. Iowa State – 16
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: 15th
Final: 15th
Stats
Offense: 45.6 PPG (1st in NCAA)
Defensive: 18.5 PPG Allowed (18th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Oct. 5, 2002: Hawaii – 31 at Boise State – 58
• Oct. 18, 2002: Fresno State – 21 at Boise State – 67
Head Coach
Dan Hawkins, 2nd Year (WAC Coach of the Year)
All-League Players
QB – Ryan Dinwidde, JR: 134-205 (65.4 comp%), 20 TD, 3 INT
RB – Brock Forsey, SR: 295 CAR, 1,611 YDS, 26 TD; 36 REC, 282 YDS, 6 TD
> WAC Offensive Player of the Year
OL – Scott Huff, SR: N/A
OL – Rob Vian, SR: N/A
DB – Quintin Mikell, SR: 97 TKL, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, INT, FR
> WAC Defensive Player of the Year
#12 Seed – 2016 Team
Record: 10-3
Conference Finish: T-1st – MW/Mountain Division (6-2)
Bowl Game
Cactus Bowl: Baylor – 31 vs. Boise State – 12
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: 13th
Final: None
Stats
Offense: 33.8 (38th in NCAA)
Defensive: 23.3 (29th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Sept. 10, 2016: Washington State – 28 vs. Boise State – 31
• Sept. 24, 2016: Boise State – 38 at Oregon State – 24
• Oct. 7, 2016: (19) Boise State – 49 at New Mexico – 21
• Oct. 20, 2016: BYU – 27 at (14) Boise State – 28
Head Coach
Bryan Harsin, 3rd Year
All-League Players
OL – Travis Averill, SR: Started all 13 games
QB – Brett Rypien, SO: 244-394 (61.9 comp%), 3,646 YDS, 24 TD, 8 INT
WR – Thomas Sperbeck, SR: 80 REC, 1,272 YDS, 9 INT; 3-3 (1.000 comp%), 92 YDS, 3 TD
OL – Mario Yakoo, SR: Started 12 of 13 games
DL – Sam McCaskill, SR: 50 TKL, 14.0 TFL, 6.5 Sacks
DL – David Moa, SO: 30 TFL, 10.5 TFL, 8.5 Sacks
#13 Seed – 2007 Team
Record: 10-3
Conference Finish: 2nd – WAC (7-1)
Bowl Game
Hawaii Bowl: East Carolina – 41 vs. Boise State – 38
AP Ranking
Preseason: 24
Highest: 17
Final: None
Stats
Offense: 42.4 (4th in NCAA)
Defensive: 21.6 (26th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Oct. 26, 2007: Boise State – 34 at Fresno State – 21
Head Coach
Chris Petersen, 2nd Year
All-League Players
OL – Ryan Clady, SR: Started all 13 games
WR – Jeremy Childs, SO: 82 REC, 1,045 YDS, 9 TD
RB – Ian Johnson, JR: 207 CAR, 1,041 YDS, 16 TD; 25 REC, 312 YDS, TD
DL – Nick Schlekeway, SR: 29 TKL, 3.5 TKL, 2.0 Sacks
DB – Marty Tadman, SR: 93 TKL, 2.5 TFL, 2 INT
#14 Seed – 2000 Team
Record: 10-2
Conference Finish: 1st – Big West (5-0)
Bowl Game
Humanitarian Bowl: Boise State – 38 vs. UTEP – 23
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: None
Final: None
Stats
Offense: 44.3 PPG (1st in NCAA)
Defensive: 22.8 PPG Allowed (47th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
*The Broncos did not beat a Power 5 program or a team with a winning record in the FBS during the regular season.
Head Coach
Dirk Koetter, 3rd Season
All-League Players
OL – Scott Buttie: N/A
WR – Lou Fanucchi: 40 REC, 796 YDS, 19.9 AVG, 8 TD
QB – Bart Hendricks: 210-347 (60.5 comp%), 3,364 PASS YDS, 35 TD, 8 INT; 85 CAR, 269 YDS, 6 TD
> Big Sky Offensive MVP
DL – Jeff Copp: 48 TKL, 8.0 TFL, 5.0 Sacks
CB – Dempsy Dees: 35 TKL, 2 INT
S – Quintin Mikell: 118 TKL, 8.0 TFL, 3.0 Sacks, 2 FR
CB – D. Ross: 58 TKL, 2 INT, 17 PBU
DL – Zach Weber: 48 TKL, 8.0 TFL, 5.0 Sacks
#15 Seed – 1999 Team
Record: 10-3
Conference Finish: 1st – Big West (5-1)
Bowl Game
Humanitarian Bowl: Boise State – 34 vs. Louisville – 31
AP Ranking
Preseason: None
Highest: None
Final: None
Stats
Offense: 33.1 PPG (15th in NCAA)
Defensive: 21.3 PPG Allowed (33rd in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Oct. 2, 1999: Utah – 20 at Boise State – 26
Head Coach
Dirk Koetter, 2nd Year
All-League Players
QB – Bart Hendrick: 203-351 (57.8 comp%), 2,746 PASS YDS, 22 TD, 13 INT
> Big Sky Offensive MVP
OL – Jeremy Mankins: N/A
TE – Dave Stachelski: 31 REC, 453 YDS, 6 TD
CB – Dempsy Dees: 39 TKL, 6 INT
LB – Bryan Johnson: 105 TKL, 14.0 TFL, 4.5 Sacks
DL – Mike Maloy: 50 TKL, 10.0 TFL, 6.0 Sacks
LB – Kareem Williams: 70 TKL, 13.0 TFL, 5.0 Sacks, INT
K – Nick Calaycay: 14-17 FG (45 long), 41-42 PAT
#16 Seed – 2015 Team
Record: 9-4
Conference Finish: T-2nd – Mountain West (5-3)
Bowl Game
Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State – 55 vs. Northern Illinois – 7
AP Ranking
Preseason: 23
Highest: 20
Final: None
Stats
Offense: 39.1 PPG (15th in NCAA)
Defensive: 20.2 PPG Allowed (19th in NCAA)
Biggest Win(s)
• Sept. 4, 2015: Washington – 13 at (23) Boise State – 16
• Sept. 25, 2015: Boise State – 56 at Virginia – 14
Head Coach
Bryan Harsin, 2nd Year
All-League Players
OL – Marcus Henry, SR: Started all 13 games
OL – Rees Odhiambo, SR: Started 8 of 13 games
QB – Brett Rypien: 272-428 (63.6 comp%), 3,350 PASS YDS, 20 TD, 8 INT
WR – Thomas Sperbeck, JR: 88 REC, 1,412 YDS, 8 TD
S – Darian Thompson, SR: 65 TKL, 8.5 TFL, 5 INT, 2 FF